Palfreywhofarmedhisownland，thathadattractedMr。Freely’speculiarregard，andconqueredhisfastidiousness；andnowonder，fortheIdeal，asexhibitedinthefinestwaxwork，wasperhapsneversocloselyapproachedbytheRealasinthepersonoftheprettyPenelope。Heryellowishflaxenhairdidnotcurlnaturally，I
admit，butitsbrightcrispringletsweresuchsmooth，perfectminiaturetubes，thatyouwouldhavelongedtopassyourlittlefingerthroughthem，andfeeltheirsoftelasticity。Sheworetheminacrop，forinthosedays，whensocietywasinahealthierstate，youngladiesworecropslongaftertheyweretwenty，andPenelopewasnotyetnineteen。Likethewaxenideal，shehadroundblueeyes，androundnostrilsinherlittlenose，andteethsuchastheidealwouldbeseentohave，ifitevershowedthem。Altogether，shewasasmall，roundthing，asneatasapinkandwhitedoubledaisy，andasguileless；forIhopeitdoesnotargueguileinaprettydamselofnineteen，tothinkthatsheshouldliketohaveabeauandbe"engaged，"whenhereldersisterhadalreadybeeninthatpositionayearandahalf。Tobesure，therewasyoungTowersalwayscomingtothehouse；butPennyfeltconvincedheonlycametoseeherbrother，forheneverhadanythingtosaytoher，andneverofferedherhisarm，andwasasawkwardandsilentaspossible。
ItisnotunlikelythatMr。FreelyhadearlybeensmittenbyPenny’scharms，asbroughtunderhisobservationatchurch，buthehadtomakehiswayinsocietyalittlebeforehecouldcomeintonearercontactwiththem；andevenafterhewaswellreceivedinGrimworthfamilies，itwasalongwhilebeforehecouldconversewithPennyotherwisethaninanincidentalmeetingatMr。Luff’s。ItwasnotsoeasytogetinvitedtoLongMeadows，theresidenceofthePalfreys；forthoughMr。Palfreyhadbeenlosingmoneyoflateyears，notbeingablequitetorecoverhisfeetaftertheterriblemurrainwhichforcedhimtoborrow，hisfamilywerefarfromconsideringthemselvesonthesamelevelevenastheold-establishedtradespeoplewithwhomtheyvisited。Thegreatestpeople，evenkingsandqueens，mustvisitwithsomebody，andtheequalsofthegreatarescarce。TheywereespeciallyscarceatGrimworth，which，asIhavebeforeobserved，wasalowparish，mentionedwiththemostscornfulbrevityingazetteers。Eventhegreatpeopletherewerefarbehindthoseoftheirownstandinginotherpartsofthisrealm。
Mr。Palfrey’sfarmyarddoorshadthepaintallwornoffthem，andthefrontgardenwalkshadlongbeenmergedinageneralweediness。
Still，hisfatherhadbeencalledSquirePalfrey，andhadbeenrespectedbythelastGrimworthgenerationasamanwhocouldaffordtodrinktoomuchinhisownhouse。
PrettyPennywasnotblindtothefactthatMr。Freelyadmiredher，andshefeltsurethatitwashewhohadsentherabeautifulvalentine；buthersisterseemedtothinksolightlyofhim（allyoungladiesthinklightlyofthegentlementowhomtheyarenotengaged），thatPennyneverdaredmentionhim，andtrembledandblushedwhenevertheymethim，thinkingofthevalentine，whichwasverystronginitsexpressions，andwhichshefeltguiltyofknowingbyheart。AmanwhohadbeentotheIndies，andknewtheseasowell，seemedtoherasortofpubliccharacter，almostlikeRobinsonCrusoeorCaptainCook；andPennyhadalwayswishedherhusbandtobearemarkablepersonage，likelytobeputinMangnall’sQuestions，withwhichregisteroftheimmortalsshehadbecomeacquaintedduringheroneyearataboarding-school。Onlyitseemedstrangethataremarkablemanshouldbeaconfectionerandpastry-cook，andthisanomalyquitedisturbedPenny’sdreams。Herbrothers，sheknew，laughedatmenwhocouldn’tsitonhorsebackwell，andcalledthemtailors；butherbrotherswereveryrough，andwerequitewithoutthatpowerofanecdotewhichmadeMr。Freelysuchadelightfulcompanion。Hewasaverygoodman，shethought，forshehadheardhimsayatMr。Luff’s，oneday，thathealwayswishedtodohisdutyinwhateverstateoflifehemightbeplaced；andheknewagreatdealofpoetry，foronedayhehadrepeatedaverseofasong。Shewonderedifhehadmadethewordsofthevalentine！——itendedinthisway：-
"Withoutthee，itispaintolive，Butwiththee，itweresweettodie。"
PoorMr。Freely！herfatherwouldverylikelyobject——shefeltsurehewould，forhealwayscalledMr。Freely"thatsugar-plumfellow。"
Oh，itwasverycruel，whentruelovewascrossedinthatway，andallbecauseMr。Freelywasaconfectioner：well，Pennywouldbetruetohim，forallthat，andsincehisbeingaconfectionergaveheranopportunityofshowingherfaithfulness，shewasgladofit。
EdwardFreelywasaprettyname，muchbetterthanJohnTowers。
YoungTowershadofferedheraroseoutofhisbutton-holetheotherday，blushingverymuch；butsherefusedit，andthoughtwithdelighthowmuchMr。Freelywouldbecomfortedifheknewherfirmnessofmind。
PoorlittlePenny！thedaysweresoverylongamongthedaisiesonagrazingfarm，andthoughtissoactive——howwasitpossiblethattheinwarddramashouldnotgetthestartoftheoutward？Ihaveknownyoungladies，muchbettereducated，andwithanoutwardworlddiversifiedbyinstructivelectures，tosaynothingofliteratureandhighly-developedfancy-work，whohavespunacocoonofvisionaryjoysandsorrowsforthemselves，justasPennydid。HereldersisterLetitia，whohadaprouderstyleofbeauty，andamoreworldlyambition，wasengagedtoawool-factor，whocameallthewayfromCatteltontoseeher；andeverybodyknowsthatawool-factortakesaveryhighrank，sometimesdrivingadouble-bodiedgig。
Letty’snotionsgothighereveryday，andPennyneverdaredtospeakofhercherishedgriefstoherloftysister——neverdaredtoproposethattheyshouldcallatMr。Freely’stobuyliquorice，thoughshehadpreparedforsuchanincidentbymentioningaslightsorethroat。Soshehadtopasstheshopontheothersideofthemarket-place，andreflect，withasuppressedsigh，thatbehindthosepinkandwhitejarssomebodywasthinkingofhertenderly，unconsciousofthesmallspacethatdividedherfromhim。
Anditwasquitetruethat，whenbusinesspermitted，Mr。FreelythoughtagreatdealofPenny。Hethoughtherprettinesscomparabletotheloveliestthingsinconfectionery；hejudgedhertobeofsubmissivetemper——likelytowaituponhimaswellasifshehadbeenanegress，andtobesilentlyterrifiedwhenhislivermadehimirritable；andheconsideredthePalfreyfamilyquitethebestintheparish，possessingmarriageabledaughters。Onthewhole，hethoughtherworthytobecomeMrs。EdwardFreely，andallthemoreso，becauseitwouldprobablyrequiresomeingenuitytowinher。
Mr。Palfreywascapableofhorse-whippingatoorashpretendertohisdaughter’shand；and，moreover，hehadthreetallsons：itwasclearthatasuitorwouldbeatadisadvantagewithsuchafamily，unlesstravelandnaturalacumenhadgivenhimacountervailingpowerofcontrivance。Andthefirstideathatoccurredtohiminthematterwas，thatMr。PalfreywouldobjectlessifheknewthattheFreelyswereamuchhigherfamilythanhisown。IthadbeenfoolishmodestyinhimhithertotoconcealthefactthatabranchoftheFreelysheldamanorinYorkshire，andtoshutuptheportraitofhisgreatuncletheadmiral，insteadofhangingitupwhereafamilyportraitshouldbehung——overthemantelpieceintheparlour。
AdmiralFreely，K。C。B。，onceplacedinthisconspicuousposition，wasseentohavehadonearmonly，andoneeye——inthesepointsresemblingtheheroicNelson——whileacertainpallidinsignificanceoffeatureconfirmedtherelationshipbetweenhimselfandhisgrand-
nephew。
Next，Mr。FreelywasseizedwithanirrepressibleambitiontopossesMrs。Palfrey’sreceiptforbrawn，hersbeingpronouncedonallhandstobesuperiortohisown——asheinformedherinaveryflatteringlettercarriedbyhiserrand-boy。NowMrs。Palfrey，likeothergeniuses，wroughtbyinstinctratherthanbyrule，andpossessednoreceipts——indeed，despisedallpeoplewhousedthem，observingthatpeoplewhopickledbybook，mustpicklebyweightsandmeasures，andsuchnonsense；asforherself，herweightsandmeasureswerethetipofherfingerandthetipofhertongue，andifyouwentnearer，why，ofcourse，fordrygoodslikeflourandspice，youwentbyhandfulsandpinches，andforwet，therewasamiddle-sizedjug——
quitethebestthingwhetherformuchorlittle，becauseyoumightknowhowmuchateacupfulwasifyou’dgotanyuseofyoursenses，andyoumightbesureitwouldtakefivemiddle-sizedjugstomakeagallon。KnowledgeofthiskindislikeTitian’scolouring，difficulttocommunicate；andasMrs。Palfrey，onceremarkablyhandsome，hadnowbecomeratherstoutandasthmatical，andscarcelyeverlefthome，heroralteachingcouldhardlybegivenanywhereexceptatLongMeadows。Evenamatronisnotinsusceptibletoflattery，andtheprospectofavisitorwhosegreatobjectwouldbetolistentoherconversation，wasnotwithoutitscharmstoMrs。
Palfrey。SincetherewasnoreceipttobesentinreplytoMr。
Freely’shumblerequest，shecalledonhermoredociledaughter，Penny，towriteanote，tellinghimthathermotherwouldbegladtoseehimandtalkwithhimonbrawn，anydaythathecouldcallatLongMeadows。Pennyobeyedwithatremblinghand，thinkinghowwonderfullythingscameaboutinthisworld。
Inthisway，Mr。FreelygothimselfintroducedintothehomeofthePalfreys，andnotwithstandingatendencyinthemalepartofthefamilytojeerathimalittleas"peaky"andbow-legged，hepresentlyestablishedhispositionasanacceptedandfrequentguest。YoungTowerslookedathimwithincreasingdisgustwhentheymetatthehouseonaSunday，andsecretlylongedtotryhisferretuponhim，asapieceofverminwhichthatvaluableanimalwouldbelikelytotacklewithunhesitatingvigour。But——soblindsometimesareparents——neitherMr。norMrs。PalfreysuspectedthatPennywouldhaveanythingtosaytoatradesmanofquestionablerankwhoseyouthfulbloomwasmuchwithered。YoungTowers，theythought，hadaneyetoher，andTHATwaslikelyenoughtobeamatchsomeday；
butPennywasachildatpresent。AndallthewhilePennywasimaginingthecircumstancesunderwhichMr。Freelywouldmakeheranoffer：perhapsdownbytherowofdamson-trees，whentheywereinthegardenbeforetea；perhapsbyletter——inwhichcase，howwouldtheletterbegin？"DearestPenelope？"or"MydearMissPenelope？"
orstraightoff，withoutdearanything，asseemedthemostnaturalwhenpeoplewereembarrassed？But，howeverhemightmaketheoffer，shewouldnotacceptitwithoutherfather’sconsent：shewouldalwaysbetruetoMr。Freely，butshewouldnotdisobeyherfather。
ForPennywasagoodgirl，thoughsomeofherfemalefriendswereafterwardsofopinionthatitspokeillforhernottohavefeltaninstinctiverepugnancetoMr。Freely。
Buthewascautious，andwishedtobequitesureofthegroundhetrodon。Hisviewsonmarriagewerenotentirelysentimental，butwereasdulymingledwithconsiderationsofwhatwouldbeadvantageoustoamaninhisposition，asifhehadhadaverylargeamountofmoneyspentonhiseducation。Hewasnotamantofallinloveinthewrongplace；andso，heappliedhimselfquiteasmuchtoconciliatethefavouroftheparents，astosecuretheattachmentofPenny。Mrs。Palfreyhadnotbeeninaccessibletoflattery，andherhusband，beingalsoofmortalmould，wouldnot，itmightbehoped，beproofagainstrum——thatveryfineJamaicarum——ofwhichMr。
FreelyexpectedalwaystohaveasupplysenthimfromJamaica。ItwasnoteasytogetMr。Palfreyintotheparlourbehindtheshop，whereamildback-streetlightfellonthefeaturesoftheheroicadmiral；butbygettingholdofhimratherlateoneeveningashewasabouttoreturnhomefromGrimworth，theaspiringloversucceededinpersuadinghimtosuponsomecollaredbeefwhich，afterMrs。Palfrey’sbrawn，hewouldfindtheverybestofcoldeating。
FromthathourMr。Freelyfeltsureofsuccess：beinginprivacywithanestimablemanoldenoughtobehisfather，andbeingratherlonelyintheworld，itwasnaturalheshouldunbosomhimselfalittleonsubjectswhichhecouldnotspeakofinamixedcircle——
especiallyconcerninghisexpectationsfromhisuncleinJamaica，whohadnochildren，andlovedhisnephewEdwardbetterthananyoneelseintheworld，thoughhehadbeensohurtathisleavingJamaica，thathehadthreatenedtocuthimoffwithashilling。
However，hehadsincewrittentostatehisfullforgiveness，andthoughhewasaneccentricoldgentlemanandcouldnotbeartogiveawaymoneyduringhislife，Mr。EdwardFreelycouldshowMr。Palfreytheletterwhichdeclared，plainlyenough，whowouldbetheaffectionateuncle’sheir。Mr。Palfreyactuallysawtheletter，andcouldnothelpadmiringthespiritofthenephewwhodeclaredthatsuchbrillianthopesasthesemadenodifferencetohisconduct；heshouldworkathishumblebusinessandmakehismodestfortuneatitallthesame。IftheJamaicaestatewastocometohim——wellandgood。ItwasnothingverysurprisingforoneoftheFreelyfamilytohaveanestatelefthim，consideringthelandsthatfamilyhadpossessedintimegoneby——nay，stillpossessedintheNorthumberlandbranch。WouldnotMr。Palfreytakeanotherglassofrum？andalsolookatthelastyear’sbalanceoftheaccounts？Mr。
Freelywasamanwhocaredtopossesspersonalvirtues，anddidnotpiquehimselfonhisfamily，thoughsomemenwould。
WeknowhoweasilythegreatLeviathanmaybeled，whenoncethereisahookinhisnoseorabridleinhisjaws。Mr。Palfreywasalargeman，but，likeLeviathan’s，hisbulkwentagainsthimwhenoncehehadtakenaturning。Hewasnotamercurialman，whoeasilychangedhispointofview。Enough。Beforetwomonthswereover，hehadgivenhisconsenttoMr。Freely’smarriagewithhisdaughterPenny，andhavinghitonaformulabywhichhecouldjustifyit，fencedoffalldoubtsandobjections，hisownincluded。Theformulawasthis："I’mnotamantoputmyheadupanentrybeforeIknowwhereitleads。"
LittlePennywasveryproudandfluttering，buthardlysohappyassheexpectedtobeinanengagement。ShewonderedifyoungTowerscaredmuchaboutit，forhehadnotbeentothehouselately，andhersisterandbrotherswereratherinclinedtosneerthantosympathize。Grimworthrangwiththenews。AllmenextolledMr。
Freely’sgoodfortune；whilethewomen，withthetendersolicitudecharacteristicofthesex，wishedthemarriagemightturnoutwell。
Whileaffairswereatthistriumphantjuncture，Mr。Freelyonemorningobservedthatastone-carverwhohadbeenbreakfastingintheeating-roomhadleftanewspaperbehind。ItwastheX-shireGazette，andX-shirebeingacountynotunknowntoMr。Freely，hefeltsomecuriositytoglanceoverit，andespeciallyovertheadvertisements。Aslightflushcameoverhisfaceasheread。Itwasproducedbythefollowingannouncement：-"IfDavidFaux，sonofJonathanFaux，lateofGilsbrook，willapplyattheofficeofMr。
Strutt，attorney，ofRodham，hewillhearofsomethingtohisadvantage。"
"Father’sdead！"exclaimedMr。Freely，involuntarily。"Canhehaveleftmealegacy？"
CHAPTERIII
Perhapsitwasaresultquitedifferentfromyourexpectations，thatMr。DavidFauxshouldhavereturnedfromtheWestIndiesonlyafewyearsafterhisarrivalthere，andhavesetupinhisoldbusiness，likeanyplainmanwhohasnevertravelled。Butthesecasesdooccurinlife。Since，asweknow，menchangetheirskiesandseenewconstellationswithoutchangingtheirsouls，itwillfollowsometimesthattheydon’tchangetheirbusinessunderthosenovelcircumstances。
Certainly，thisresultwascontrarytoDavid’sownexpectations。Hehadlookedforward，youareaware，toabrilliantcareeramong"theblacks"；but，eitherbecausetheyhadalreadyseentoomanywhitemen，orforsomeotherreason，theydidnotatoncerecognizehimasasuperiororderofhumanbeing；besides，therewerenoprincessesamongthem。NobodyinJamaicawasanxioustomaintainDavidforthemerepleasureofhissociety；andthosehiddenmeritsofamanwhicharesowellknowntohimselfwereaslittlerecognizedthereastheynotoriouslyareintheeffetesocietyoftheOldWorld。SothatinthedarkhintsthatDavidthrewoutattheOysterClubaboutthatlifeofSultanicself-indulgencespentbyhimintheluxuriousIndies，Ireallythinkhewasdoinghimselfawrong；Ibelieveheworkedforhisbread，and，infact，tooktocookingas，afterall，theonlydepartmentinwhichhecouldofferskilledlabour。Hehadformedseveralingeniousplansbywhichhemeanttocircumventpeopleoflargefortuneandsmallfaculty；butthenhenevermetwithexactlytherightcircumstances。David’sdevicesforgettingrichwithoutworkhadapparentlynodirectrelationwiththeworldoutsidehim，ashisconfectioneryreceiptshad。Itispossibletopassagreatmanybadhalfpenniesandbadhalf-crowns，butI
believetherehasnoinstancebeenknownofpassingahalfpennyorahalf-crownasasovereign。Asharpercandriveabrisktradeinthisworld：itisundeniablethattheremaybeafinecareerforhim，ifhewilldareconsequences；butDavidwastootimidtobeasharper，orventureinanywayamongthemantrapsofthelaw。Hedaredrobnobodybuthismother。Andsohehadtofallbackonthegenuinevaluetherewasinhim——tobecontenttopassasagoodhalfpenny，or，tospeakmoreaccurately，asagoodconfectioner。
Forinspiteofsomeadditionalreadingandobservation，therewasnothingelsehecouldmakesomuchmoneyby；nay，hefoundinhimselfevenacapabilityofextendinghisskillinthisdirection，andembracingallformsofcookery；while，inotherbranchesofhumanlabour，hebegantoseethatitwasnotpossibleforhimtoshine。Fatewastoostrongforhim；hehadthoughttomasterherinclinationandhadfledovertheseastothatend；butshecaughthim，tiedanapronroundhim，andsnatchinghimfromallotherdevices，madehimdevisecakesandpattiesinakitchenatKingstown。Hewasgettingsubmissivetoher，sinceshepaidhimwithtolerablegains；butfeversandpricklyheat，andotherevilsincidentaltocooksinardentclimates，madehimlongforhisnativeland；sohetookshiponcemore，carryinghissixyears’savings，andseeingdistinctly，thistime，whatwereFate’sintentionsastohiscareer。IfyouquestionmecloselyastowhetherallthemoneywithwhichhesetupatGrimworthconsistedofpureandsimpleearnings，Iamobligedtoconfessthathegotasumortwoforcharitablyabstainingfrommentioningsomeotherpeople’smisdemeanours。Altogether，sincenoprospectswereattachedtohisfamilyname，andsinceanewchristeningseemedasuitablecommencementofanewlife，Mr。DavidFauxthoughtitaswelltocallhimselfMr。EdwardFreely。
Butlo！now，inoppositiontoallcalculableprobability，somebenefitappearedtobeattachedtothenameofDavidFaux。Shouldheneglectit，asbeneaththeattentionofaprosperoustradesman？
Itmightbringhimintocontactwithhisfamilyagain，andhefeltnoyearningsinthatdirection：moreover，hehadsmallbeliefthatthe"somethingtohisadvantage"couldbeanythingconsiderable。Ontheotherhand，evenasmallgainispleasant，andthepromiseofitinthisinstancewassosurprising，thatDavidfelthiscuriosityawakened。Thescaledippedatlastonthesideofwritingtothelawyer，and，tobebrief，thecorrespondenceendedinanappointmentforameetingbetweenDavidandhiseldestbrotheratMr。Strutt’s，thevague"something"havingbeendefinedasalegacyfromhisfatherofeighty-twopounds，threeshillings。
David，youknow，hadexpectedtobedisinherited；andsohewouldhavebeen，ifhehadnot，likesomeotherindifferentsons，comeofexcellentparents，whoseconsciencemadethemscrupulouswheremuchmorehighly-instructedpeopleoftenfeelthemselveswarrantedinfollowingthebentoftheirindignation。GoodMrs。Fauxcouldneverforgetthatshehadbroughtthisill-conditionedsonintotheworldwhenhewasinthatentirelyhelplessstatewhichexcludedthesmallestchoiceonhispart；and，somehoworother，shefeltthathisgoingwrongwouldbehisfather’sandmother’sfault，iftheyfailedinonetittleoftheirparentalduty。Hernotionofparentaldutywasnotofahighandsubtlekind，butitincludedgivinghimhisdueshareofthefamilyproperty；forwhenamanhadgotalittlehonestmoneyofhisown，washesolikelytosteal？Tocutthedelinquentsonoffwithashilling，waslikedeliveringhimovertohisevilpropensities。No；letthesumoftwentyguineaswhichhehadstolenbedeductedfromhisshare，andthenletthesumofthreeguineasbeputbackfromit，seeingthathismotherhadalwaysconsideredthreeofthetwentyguineasashis；and，thoughhehadrunaway，andwas，perhaps，goneacrossthesea，letthemoneybelefttohimallthesame，andbekeptinreserveforhispossiblereturn。Mr。Fauxagreedtohiswife’sviews，andmadeacodiciltohiswillaccordingly，intimetodiewithaclearconscience。ButforsometimehisfamilythoughtitlikelythatDavidwouldneverreappear；andtheeldestson，whohadthechargeofJacobonhishands，oftenthoughtitalittlehardthatDavidmightperhapsbedead，andyet，forwantofcertitudeonthatpoint，hislegacycouldnotfalltohislegalheir。Butinthisstateofthingstheoppositecertitude——namely，thatDavidwasstillaliveandinEngland——seemedtobebroughtbythetestimonyofaneighbour，who，havingbeenonajourneytoCattelton，wasprettysurehehadseenDavidinagig，withastoutmandrivingbyhisside。Hecould"swearitwasDavid，"thoughhecould"givenoaccountwhy，forhehadnomarksonhim；butnomorehadawhitedog，andthatdidn’thinderfolksfromknowingawhitedog。"Itwasthisincidentwhichhadledtotheadvertisement。
Thelegacywaspaid，ofcourse，afterafewpreliminarydisclosuresastoMr。David’sactualposition。Hebeggedtosendhislovetohismother，andtosaythathehopedtopayheradutifulvisitbyandby；but，atpresent，hisbusinessandnearprospectofmarriagemadeitdifficultforhimtoleavehome。Hisbrotherrepliedwithmuchfrankness。
"Mymothermaydoasshelikesabouthavingyoutoseeher，but，formypart，Idon’twanttocatchsightofyouonthepremisesagain。
Whenfolkshavetakenanewname，they’dbetterkeeptotheirnew’quinetance。"
Davidpocketedtheinsultalongwiththeeighty-twopoundsthree，andtravelledhomeagaininsometriumphattheeaseofatransactionwhichhadenrichedhimtothisextent。Hehadnointentionofoffendinghisbrotherbyfurtherclaimsonhisfraternalrecognition，andrelapsedwithfullcontentmentintothecharacterofMr。EdwardFreely，theorphan，scionofagreatbutreducedfamily，withaneccentricuncleintheWestIndies。（Ihavealreadyhintedthathehadsomeacquaintancewithimaginativeliterature；andbeingofapracticalturn，hehad，youperceive，appliedeventhisformofknowledgetopracticalpurposes。）
Itwaslittlemorethanaweekafterthereturnfromhisfruitfuljourney，thatthedayofhismarriagewithPennyhavingbeenfixed，itwasagreedthatMrs。Palfreyshouldovercomeherreluctancetomovefromhome，andthatsheandherhusbandshouldbringtheirtwodaughterstoinspectlittlePenny’sfutureabodeanddecideonthenewarrangementstobemadeforthereceptionofthebride。Mr。
Freelymeanthertohaveahousesoprettyandcomfortablethatsheneednotenvyevenawool-factor’swife。Ofcourse，theupperroomovertheshopwastobethebestsitting-room；butalsotheparlourbehindtheshopwastobemadeasuitablebowerforthelovelyPenny，whowouldnaturallywishtobenearherhusband，thoughMr。
FreelydeclaredhisresolutionnevertoallowHISwifetowaitintheshop。Thedecisionsabouttheparlourfurniturewerelefttilllast，becausethepartywastotaketeathere；and，aboutfiveo’clock，theywereallseatedtherewiththebestmuffinsandbutteredbunsbeforethem，littlePennyblushingandsmiling，withher"crop"inthebestorder，andabluefrockshowingherlittlewhiteshoulders，whileheropinionwasbeingalwaysaskedandnevergiven。Shesecretlywishedtohaveaparticularsortofchimneyornaments，butshecouldnothavebroughtherselftomentionit。
Seatedbythesideofheryellowandratherwitheredlover，who，thoughhehadnotreachedhisthirtiethyear，hadalreadycrow’s-
feetabouthiseyes，shewasquitetremulousatthegreatnessofherlotinbeingmarriedtoamanwhohadtravelledsomuch——andbeforehersisterLetty！ThehandsomeLetitialookedratherproudandcontemptuous，thoughthernaturebrother-in-lawanodiousperson，andwasvexedwithherfatherandmotherforlettingPennymarryhim。DearlittlePenny！Shecertainlydidlooklikeafreshwhite-
heartcherrygoingtobebittenoffthestembythatliplessmouth。
Wouldnodeliverercometomakeaslipbetweenthatcherryandthatmouthwithoutalip？
"Quiteafamilylikenessbetweentheadmiralandyou，Mr。Freely，"
observedMrs。Palfrey，whowaslookingatthefamilyportraitforthefirsttime。"It’swonderful！andonlyagrand-uncle。Doyoufeaturetherestofyourfamily，asyouknowof？"
"Ican’tsay，"saidMr。Freely，withasigh。"Myfamilyhavemostlythoughtthemselvestoohightotakeanynoticeofme。"
Atthismomentanextraordinarydisturbancewasheardintheshop，asofaheavyanimalstampingaboutandmakingangrynoises，andthenofaglassvesselfallinginshivers，whilethevoiceoftheapprenticewasheardcalling"Master"ingreatalarm。
Mr。Freelyroseinanxiousastonishment，andhastenedintotheshop，followedbythefourPalfreys，whomadeagroupattheparlour-door，transfixedwithwonderatseeingalargemaninasmock-frock，withapitchforkinhishand，rushuptoMr。Freelyandhughim，cryingout，——"Zavy，Zavy，b’otherZavy！"
ItwasJacob，andforsomemomentsDavidlostallpresenceofmind。
Hefeltarrestedforhavingstolenhismother’sguineas。Heturnedcold，andtrembledinhisbrother’sgrasp。
"Why，how’sthis？"saidMr。Palfrey，advancingfromthedoor。"Whoishe？"
Jacobsuppliedtheanswerbysayingoverandoveragain-
"I’seZacob，b’otherZacob。Come’ozeeZavy"——tillhungerpromptedhimtorelaxhisgrasp，andtoseizealargeraisedpie，whichheliftedtohismouth。
BythistimeDavid’spowerofdevicehadbeguntoreturn，butitwasaveryhardtaskforhisprudencetomasterhisrageandhatredtowardspoorJacob。
"Idon’tknowwhoheis；hemustbedrunk，"hesaid，inalowtonetoMr。Palfrey。"Buthe’sdangerouswiththatpitchfork。He’llneverletitgo。"ThencheckinghimselfonthepointofbetrayingtoogreatanintimacywithJacob’shabits，headded"Youwatchhim，whileIrunfortheconstable。"Andhehurriedoutoftheshop。
"Why，wheredoyoucomefrom，myman？"saidMr。Palfrey，speakingtoJacobinaconciliatorytone。Jacobwaseatinghispiebylargemouthfuls，andlookingroundattheothergoodthingsintheshop，whileheembracedhispitchforkwithhisleftarm，andlaidhislefthandonsomeBathbuns。Hewasintherarepositionofapersonwhorecoversalongabsentfriendandfindshimricherthaneverinthecharacteristicsthatwonhisheart。
"I’sZacob——b’otherZacob——’thome。IloveZavy——b’otherZavy，"hesaid，assoonasMr。Palfreyhaddrawnhisattention。"Zavycomebackfromz’Indies——gotmother’szinnies。Where’sZavy？"headded，lookingroundandthenturningtotheotherswithaquestioningair，puzzledbyDavid’sdisappearance。
"It’sveryodd，"observedMr。Palfreytohiswifeanddaughters。
"HeseemstosayFreely’shisbrothercomebackfromth’Indies。"
"Whatapleasantrelationforus！"saidLetitia，sarcastically。"I
thinkhe’sagooddeallikeMr。Freely。He’sgotjustthesamesortofnose，andhiseyesarethesamecolour。"
PoorPennywasreadytocry。
ButnowMr。Freelyre-enteredtheshopwithouttheconstable。
Duringhiswalkofafewyardshehadhadtimeandcalmnessenoughtowidenhisviewofconsequences，andhesawthattogetJacobtakentotheworkhouseortothelock-uphouseasanoffensivestrangermighthaveawkwardeffectsifhisfamilytookthetroubleofinquiringafterhim。Hemustresignhimselftomorepatientmeasures。
"Onsecondthoughts，"hesaid，beckoningtoMr。PalfreyandwhisperingtohimwhileJacob’sbackwasturned，"he’sapoorhalf-
wittedfellow。Perhapshisfriendswillcomeafterhim。Idon’tmindgivinghimsomethingtoeat，andlettinghimliedownforthenight。He’sgotitintohisheadthatheknowsme——theydogetthesefancies，idiotsdo。He’llperhapsgoawayagaininanhourortwo，andmakenomoreado。I’makind-heartedmanMYSELF——I
shouldn’tliketohavethepoorfellowill-used。"
"Why，he’lleatasovereign’sworthinnotime，"saidMr。Palfrey，thinkingMr。Freelyalittletoomagnificentinhisgenerosity。
"Eh，Zavy，comeback？"exclaimedJacob，givinghisdearbrotheranotherhug，whichcrushedMr。Freely’sfeaturesinconvenientlyagainstthestaleofthepitchfork。
"Aye，aye，"saidMr。Freely，smiling，witheverycapabilityofmurderinhismind，exceptthecouragetocommitit。HewishedtheBathbunsmightbychancehavearsenicinthem。
"Mother’szinnies？"saidJacob，pointingtoaglassjarofyellowlozengesthatstoodinthewindow。"Zive’emme。"
DaviddarednotdootherwisethanreachdowntheglassjarandgiveJacobahandful。Hereceivedtheminhissmock-frock，whichheheldoutformore。
"They’llkeephimquietabit，atanyrate，"thoughtDavid，andemptiedthejar。Jacobgrinnedandmowedwithdelight。
"You’reverygoodtothisstranger，Mr。Freely，"saidLetitia；andthenspitefully，asDavidjoinedthepartyattheparlour-door，"I
thinkyoucouldhardlytreathimbetter，ifhewasreallyyourbrother。"
"I’vealwaysthoughtitadutytobegoodtoidiots，"saidMr。
Freely，strivingafterthemostmoralviewofthesubject。"Wemighthavebeenidiotsourselves——everybodymighthavebeenbornidiots，insteadofhavingtheirrightsenses。"
"Idon’tknowwherethere’dha’beenvictualforusallthen，"
observedMrs。Palfrey，regardingthematterinahousewifelylight。
"Butletussitdownagainandfinishourtea，"saidMr。Freely。
"Letusleavethepoorcreaturetohimself。"
Theywalkedintotheparlouragain；butJacob，notapparentlyappreciatingthekindnessofleavinghimtohimself，immediatelyfollowedhisbrother，andseatedhimself，pitchforkgrounded，atthetable。
"Well，"saidMissLetitia，rising，"Idon’tknowwhetherYOUmeantostay，mother；butIshallgohome。"
"Oh，metoo，"saidPenny，frightenedtodeathatJacob，whohadbeguntonodandgrinather。
"Well，IthinkweHADbetterbegoing，Mr。Palfrey，"saidthemother，risingmoreslowly。
Mr。Freely，whosecomplexionhadbecomedecidedlyyellowerduringthelasthalf-hour，didnotresistthisproposition。Hehopedtheyshouldmeetagain"underhappiercircumstances。"
"It’smybeliefthemanishisbrother，"saidLetitia，whentheywereallontheirwayhome。
"Nonsense！"saidMr。Palfrey。"Freely’sgotnobrother——he’ssaidsomanyandmanyatime；he’sanorphan；he’sgotnothingbutuncles——leastwise，one。What’sitmatterwhatanidiotsays？WhatcallhadFreelytotelllies？"
Letitiatossedherheadandwassilent。
Mr。Freely，leftalonewithhisaffectionatebrotherJacob，broodedoverthepossibilityofluringhimoutofthetownearlythenextmorning，andgettinghimconveyedtoGilsbrookwithoutfurtherbetrayals。Butthethingwasdifficult。HesawclearlythatifhetookJacobhimself，hisabsence，conjoinedwiththedisappearanceofthestranger，wouldeithercausetheconvictionthathewasreallyarelative，orwouldobligehimtothedangerouscourseofinventingastorytoaccountforhisdisappearance，andhisownabsenceatthesametime。Davidgroaned。Therecomeoccasionswhenfalsehoodisfelttobeinconvenient。Itwould，perhaps，havebeenalonger-
headeddevice，ifhehadnevertoldanyofthosecleverfibsabouthisuncles，grandandotherwise；forthePalfreysweresimplepeople，andsharedthepopularprejudiceagainstlying。EvenifhecouldgetJacobawaythistime，whatsecuritywastherethathewouldnotcomeagain，havingoncefoundtheway？Oguineas！O
lozenges！whatenviablepeoplethosewerewhohadneverrobbedtheirmothers，andhadnevertoldfibs！Davidspentasleeplessnight，whileJacobwassnoringcloseby。WasthistheupshotoftravellingtotheIndies，andacquiringexperiencecombinedwithanecdote？
Heroseatbreakofday，ashehadoncebeforedonewhenhewasinfearofJacob，andtookallgentlemeanstorousethisfatalbrotherfromhisdeepsleep；hedarednotbeloud，becausehisapprenticewasinthehouse，andwouldreporteverything。ButJacobwasnottoberoused。Hefoughtoutwithhisfistattheunknowncauseofdisturbance，turnedover，andsnoredagain。Hemustbelefttowakeashewould。David，withacoldperspirationonhisbrow，confessedtohimselfthatJacobcouldnotbegotawaythatday。
Mr。PalfreycameovertoGrimworthbeforenoon，withanaturalcuriositytoseehowhisfutureson-in-lawgotonwiththestrangertowhomhewassobenevolentlyinclined。Hefoundacrowdroundtheshop。AllGrimworthbythistimehadheardhowFreelyhadbeenfastenedonbyanidiot，whocalledhim"BrotherZavy"；andtheyoungerpopulationseemedtofindthesingularstrangeranunwearyingsourceoffascination，whilethehouseholdersdroppedinonebyonetoinquireintotheincident。
"Whydon’tyousendhimtotheworkhouse？"saidMr。Prettyman。
"You’llhavearowwithhimandthechildrenpresently，andhe’lleatyouup。Theworkhouseistheproperplaceforhim；lethiskinclaimhim，ifhe’sgotany。"
"ThosemaybeYOURfeelings，Mr。Prettyman，"saidDavid，hismindquiteenfeebledbythetortureofhisposition。
"What！ISheyourbrother，then？"saidMr。Prettyman，lookingathisneighbourFreelyrathersharply。
"Allmenareourbrothers，andidiotsparticularso，"saidMr。
Freely，who，likemanyothertravelledmen，wasnotmasteroftheEnglishlanguage。
"Come，come，ifhe’syourbrother，tellthetruth，man，"saidMr。
Prettyman，withgrowingsuspicion。"Don’tbeashamedofyourownfleshandblood。"
Mr。Palfreywaspresent，andalsohadhiseyeonFreely。Itisdifficultforamantobelieveintheadvantageofatruthwhichwilldisclosehimtohavebeenaliar。Inthiscriticalmoment，Davidshrankfromthisimmediatedisgraceintheeyesofhisfuturefather-in-law。
"Mr。Prettyman，"hesaid，"Itakeyourobservationsasaninsult。
I’venoreasontobeotherwisethanproudofmyownfleshandblood。
Ifthispoormanwasmybrothermorethanallmenare，Ishouldsayso。"
Atallfiguredarkenedthedoor，andDavid，liftinghiseyesinthatdirection，sawhiseldestbrother，Jonathan，onthedoor-sill。
"I’llstaywi’Zavy，"shoutedJacob，ashe，too，caughtsightofhiseldestbrother；and，runningbehindthecounter，heclutchedDavidhard。
"What，heIShere？"saidJonathanFaux，comingforward。"Mymotherwouldhavenonay，ashe’dbeenawaysolong，butImustseeafterhim。Anditstruckmehewasverylikecomeafteryou，becausewe’dbeentalkingofyouo’late，andwhereyoulived。"
Davidsawtherewasnoescape；hesmiledaghastlysmile。
"What！isthisarelationofyours，sir？"saidMr。PalfreytoJonathan。
"Aye，it’smyinnicentofabrother，sureenough，"saidhonestJonathan。"Afinetroubleandcostheistous，inth’eatingandotherthings，butwemustbearwhat’slaidonus。"
"Andyourname’sFreely，isit？"saidMr。Prettyman。
"Nay，nay，myname’sFaux，Iknownothingo’Freelys，"saidJonathan，curtly。"Come，"headded，turningtoDavid，"ImusttakesomenewstomotheraboutJacob。ShallItakehimwithme，orwillyouundertaketosendhimback？"
"Takehim，ifyoucanmakehimloosehisholdofme，"saidDavid，feebly。
"Isthisgentlemanhereintheconfectionerylineyourbrother，then，sir？"saidMr。Prettyman，feelingthatitwasanoccasiononwhichformatlanguagemustbeused。
"Idon’twanttoownhim，"saidJonathan，unabletoresistamovementofindignationthathadneverbeenallowedtosatisfyitself。"Heranawayfromhomewithgoodreasonsinhispocketyearsago：hedidn’twanttobeownedagain，Ireckon。"
Mr。Palfreylefttheshop；hefelthisownpridetooseverelywoundedbythesensethathehadlethimselfbefooled，tofeelcuriosityforfurtherdetails。ThemostpressingbusinesswastogohomeandtellhisdaughterthatFreelywasapoorsneak，probablyarascal，andthatherengagementwasbrokenoff。
Mr。Prettymanstayed，withsomeinternalself-gratulationthatHE
hadnevergivenintoFreely，andthatMr。Chalonerwouldseenowwhatsortoffellowitwasthathehadputovertheheadsofolderparishioners。Heconsidereditduefromhim（Mr。Prettyman）that，fortheinterestsoftheparish，heshouldknowallthatwastobeknownaboutthis"interloper。"GrimworthwouldhavepeoplecomingfromBotanyBaytosettleinit，ifthingswentoninthisway。
ItsoonappearedthatJacobcouldnotbemadetoquithisdearbrotherDavidexceptbyforce。Heunderstood，withaclearnessequaltothatofthemostintelligentmind，thatJonathanwouldtakehimbacktoskimmedmilk，apple-dumpling，broadbeans，andpork。
Andhehadfoundaparadiseinhisbrother’sshop。ItwasadifficultmattertouseforcewithJacob，forheworeheavynailedboots；andifhispitchforkhadbeenmastered，hewouldhaveresortedwithouthesitationtokicks。Nothingshortofusingguiletobindhimhandandfootwouldhavemadeallpartiessafe。
"Lethimstay，"saidDavid，withdesperateresignation，frightenedaboveallthingsattheideaoffurtherdisturbancesinhisshop，whichwouldmakehisexposureallthemoreconspicuous。"YOUgoawayagain，andto-morrowIcan，perhaps，gethimtogotoGilsbrookwithme。He’llfollowmefastenough，Idaresay，"headded，withahalf-groan。
"Verywell，"saidJonathan，gruffly。"Idon’tseewhyYOUshouldn’thavesometroubleandexpensewithhimaswellastherestofus。
Butmindyoubringhimbacksafeandsoon，elsemother’llneverrest。"
Onthisarrangementbeingconcluded，Mr。PrettymanbeggedMr。
JonathanFauxtogoandtakeasnackwithhim，aninvitationwhichwasquiteacceptable；andashonestJonathanhadnothingtobeashamedof，itisprobablethathewasveryfrankinhiscommunicationstothecivildraper，who，pursuingthebenefitoftheparish，hastenedtomakealltheinformationhecouldgatheraboutFreelycommonparochialproperty。YoumayimaginethatthemeetingoftheClubattheWoolpackthateveningwasunusuallylively。
EverymemberwasanxioustoprovethathehadneverlikedFreely，ashecalledhimself。Fauxwashisname，wasit？Foxwouldhavebeenmoresuitable。Themajorityexpressedadesiretoseehimhootedoutofthetown。
Mr。Freelydidnotventureoverhisdoor-sillthatday，forheknewJacobwouldkeepathisside，andtherewaseveryprobabilitythattheywouldhaveatrainofjuvenilefollowers。HesenttoengagetheWoolpackgigforanearlyhourthenextmorning；butthisorderwasnotkeptreligiouslyasecretbythelandlord。Mr。Freelywasinformedthathecouldnothavethegigtillseven；andtheGrimworthpeoplewereearlyrisers。Perhapstheyweremorealertthanusualonthisparticularmorning；forwhenJacob，withabagofsweetsinhishand，wasinducedtomountthegigwithhisbrotherDavid，theinhabitantsofthemarket-placewerelookingoutoftheirdoorsandwindows，andattheturningofthestreettherewasevenamusterofapprenticesandschoolboys，whoshoutedastheypassedinwhatJacobtooktobeaverymerryandfriendlyway，noddingandgrinninginreturn。"Huzzay，DavidFaux！how’syouruncle？"wastheirmorning’sgreeting。Likeotherpointedthings，itwasnotaltogetherimpromptu。
EventhispublicderisionwasnotsocrushingtoDavidasthehorriblethoughtthatthoughhemightsucceednowingettingJacobhomeagaintherewouldneverbeanysecurityagainsthiscomingback，likeawasptothehoney-pot。AslongasDavidlivedatGrimworth，Jacob’sreturnwouldbehangingoverhim。ButcouldhegoonlivingatGrimworth——anobjectofridicule，discardedbythePalfreys，afterhavingrevelledintheconsciousnessthathewasanenviedandprosperousconfectioner？Davidlikedtobeenvied；hemindedlessaboutbeingloved。
Hisdoubtsonthispointweresoonsettled。ThemindofGrimworthbecameobstinatelysetagainsthimandhisviands，andthenewschoolbeingfinished，theeating-roomwasclosed。Iftherehadbeennootherreason，sympathywiththePalfreys，thatrespectablefamilywhohadlivedintheparishtimeoutofmind，wouldhavedeterminedallwell-to-dopeopletodeclineFreely’sgoods。
Besides，hehadabscondedwithhismother’sguineas：whoknewwhatelsehehaddone，inJamaicaorelsewhere，beforehecametoGrimworth，worminghimselfintofamiliesunderfalsepretences？
Femalesshuddered。Dreadfulsuspicionsgatheredroundhim：hisgreeneyes，hisbow-legshadacriminalaspect。Therectordislikedthesightofamanwhohadimposeduponhim；andallboyswhocouldnotaffordtopurchase，hooted"DavidFaux"astheypassedhisshop。
Certainlynomannowwouldpayanythingforthe"goodwill"ofMr。
Freely’sbusiness，andhewouldbeobligedtoquititwithoutapeculiumsodesirabletowardsdefrayingtheexpenseofmoving。
Inafewmonthstheshopinthemarketplacewasagaintolet，andMr。DavidFaux，aliasMr。EdwardFreely，hadgone——nobodyatGrimworthknewwhither。InthiswaythedemoralizationofGrimworthwomenwaschecked。YoungMrs。Steenerenewedhereffortstomakelightmince-pies，andhavingatlastmadeabatchsoexcellentthatMr。Steenelookedatherwithcomplacencyasheatethem，andsaidtheywerethebesthehadevereateninhislife，shethoughtlessofbulbulsandrenegadeseverafter。Thesecretsofthefinercookerywererevivedinthebreastsofmatronlyhouse-wives，anddaughterswereagainanxioustobeinitiatedinthem。
Youwillfurther，Ihope，begladtobear，thatsomepurchasesofdraperymadebyprettyPenny，inpreparationforhermarriagewithMr。Freely，cameinquiteaswellforherweddingwithyoungTowersasiftheyhadbeenmadeexpresslyforthelatteroccasion。ForPenny’scomplexionhadnotaltered，andbluealwaysbecameitbest。
HereendsthestoryofMr。DavidFaux，confectioner，andhisbrotherJacob。Andweseeinit，Ithink，anadmirableinstanceoftheunexpectedformsinwhichthegreatNemesishidesherself。
（1860）
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